The five colorful, cliffside villages that make up Cinque Terre on Italy’s Ligurian coast are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most stunning spots in Europe. However, the charm of these small, ancient towns has attracted too many visitors in recent years.
Cinque Terre’s narrow paths and tiny streets are often clogged with tourists, while its delicate environment suffers from overuse. The local government has tried to implement caps on the number of tourists allowed to visit each day and promote more sustainable forms of tourism, such as hiking rather than relying on the crowded train system. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of visitors continues to threaten the area’s natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
If you seek to escape the bustling crowds and discover hidden gems off the beaten path, these 10 small towns in Europe deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
